ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
NHAI safeguards the commuting of FASTag users: Charges double the defaulters
Collected Rs. 20.0 crore from defaulters
RFID based FASTag, an electronic toll collection system implemented by the National Highway Authority of India , has proved to be instrumental in easing lives of commuters on National Highways within two months of its nationwide implementation.
Over 1.55 crore FASTags have been issued through multiple Point of Sale . NHAI has been observing increased sale rate of FASTags which is a clear indication of this digital system being accepted well. As a result, FASTag transaction has crossed a landmark count of 4.0 million per day.
In order to give prime importance to its existing FASTag users, dissuade defaulters and further encourage adoption of FASTags by NH commuters, vehicles without FASTags entering into FASTag lane are being charged double the toll fee. Till now, a total number of 18.00 lakh vehicles defaulted by encroaching FASTag lanes across India has resulted a double charge cash toll accumulation of about Rs. 20.0 cr.
As a measure, it has also resulted in smooth and hassle-free movement of FASTag users on highways. The implementation of FASTags across the country has met with the desired response so far. The adoption of FASTags also means that it has brought in the much-needed transparency in collection at the toll booths.
In order to further increase digital collection of user fee via FASTag at NH fee plazas, NHAI has recently waived off the FASTag cost of Rs. 100/- for NHAI FASTag from 15 February 2020 to 29 February 2020. Any road users can visit any authorized physical point-of-sale locations with a valid Registration Certificate  of the vehicle and get a NHAI FASTag free of cost.
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MS
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Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Import of pulses to improve availability and check prices
Notification for the annual import quota of 4 LMT of Urad for fiscal year 2021-22 issued
The Government proposes to import pulses to improve availability and check prices. The notification for the annual import quota of 4 Lakh MT  of Urad for fiscal year 2021-22 has been issued. The details pertaining to production and import of pulses during each of the last three years is given below:
Table 1: Production and Import of Pulses
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Production of Pulses 
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Import of Pulses 
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Pulse
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2018-19
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2019-20
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2020-21^
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2018-19
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2019-20
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|
2020-21|
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Tur
|
|
33.20
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38.90
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38.80
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5.31
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4.50
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4.40
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Urad
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30.60
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20.80
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24.50
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4.90
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3.12
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3.21
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Masoor
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|
12.30
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11.00
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|
13.50
|
|
2.49
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|
8.54
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11.01
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Moong
|
|
24.60
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25.10
|
|
26.20
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|
0.84
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|
0.69
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0.52
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Gram
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99.40
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118.00
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|
116.20
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|
1.86
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|
3.71
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2.91
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Source: DACFW, ^2nd Advance Estimates
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Source: DGCIS,Up to 7.3.2021
The Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and the Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980, empowers the Government to regulate prices, production, supply, distribution and prevention of hoarding and black marketing of essential commodities for maintaining their supplies and for securing their availability at fair prices.
The National Food Security Mission  aims to increase domestic production of pulses through enhanced productivity, crop area expansion under pulses and promoting research and development for evolving better varieties. In addition, the Government announces Minimum Support Prices  for 22 mandated crops to ensure remunerative prices to farmers.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Danve Raosaheb Dadarao in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Visit of Admiral R Hari Kumar Chief of the Naval Staff to Australia
Admiral R Hari Kumar, the Chief of Naval Staff , Indian Navy visited Australia from 26 Sep – 28 Sep 22. This was his first official visit to Australia upon assuming the office of the CNS.
During the visit, he held meetings with Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, Chief of Navy, Royal Australian Navy , Vice Admiral David Johnston, Vice Chief of Australian Defence Forces, Mr Greg Moriarty, Secretary of Defence, Air Marshal Robert Chipman, Chief of Royal Australian Air Force  and Air Vice Marshal Mike Kitcher, Deputy Chief of Joint Operations. During these meetings, the leaders expressed their commitment to pursue collaborative activities in several areas of bilateral convergence.
Admiral R Hari Kumar visited RAN facilities at HMAS Penguin and Hydrographic School. The CNS, accompanied by Shri Manpreet Vohra, Ambassador of India to Australia and the Chief of Navy, RAN interacted with the prominent members of Australian Think Tanks to understand and develop new maritime cooperation opportunities. The discussions also highlighted the need for raising the level of synergy and focused efforts for overcoming the challenges of the maritime environment.
India and Australia share commonality of perspectives on several contemporary maritime security issues in the Indo-Pacific and have been working together closely in several bilateral and multilateral fora such as the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium , Indian Ocean Rim Association  and Western Pacific Naval Symposium .
Coming on the heels of successful participation of Indian Naval Ship Satpura and one P8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft of Indian Navy in the recently concluded multilateral exercise KAKADU, hosted by the RAN at Darwin, the visit of the CNS further consolidated the strong and long standing bilateral relations between two countries.
Ministry of Minority Affairs
Sardar Iqbal Singh Lalpura takes charge as the Chairman, National Commission for Minorities
Government's efforts for empowerment of all sections have shown results on ground: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
Sardar Iqbal Singh Lalpura took charge as the Chairman, National Commission for Minorities in the presence of Union Minister for Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi in New Delhi today.
Speaking on the occasion Shri Naqvi extended his best wishes to Sardar Iqbal Singh Lalpura in his new responsibility and said that his vast experience in administration, social and literary fields will be helpful in strengthening the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s commitment to “Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas”.
He said that the Government's efforts for empowerment of all sections have shown results on ground.
Shri Naqvi said that the Government has ensured justice to the victims of 1984 riots by constituting an SIT.
The Minister stated that the long-pending demand of Kartarpur Corridor has been fulfilled and the Government has also decided to start the "Gurudwara Circuit Train" that will take passengers on a pilgrimage across the country.
Mr Lalpura said that the Prime Minister has given him an opportunity to serve the people and he would try his best to serve the society.
Special Service and Features
Gold worth Rs. 14.12 Lakhs concealed in nail cutters, face cream boxes, dinky cars seized by Chennai Air Customs.
On Monday early morning one Syed Nadeem Ur Rehman, 33, of Chennai who had arrived by Indigo flight 6E-66 was intercepted at exit on suspicion of carrying gold as he was hurrying through green channel.He was questioned but as he was evasive in his reply, his check in bag was taken up for examination. On opening 5 Tiger balm glass bottles, 6 Nivea Cream boxes, 3 mini toy race cars and2 nail cutters were found concealed inside among his personal effects. On examination 11 round gold cut pieces were found concealed in balm and cream bottles and 3 gold pieces in bottom of toy cars. The nail cutters on close examination were found to be multifunctional and having bottle opener and small knife attachments. Four knife and bottle openers recovered which were found to be made of gold. Further, on his personal search one gold cut bit was recovered from his pant pocket.Total 19 gold cut pieces weighing 286 grams valued at Rs 14.12 lakhs were recovered and seized under Customs Act.
Further investigation is under process, according to a press release issued by the Commissioner of Customs Chennai International Airport.
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
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India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 197.95 Cr
Over 3.69 Cr 1st dose vaccines administered for age group 12-14 years
India's Active caseload currently stands at 1,11,711
16,103 new cases reported in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently stands at 98.54%
Weekly Positivity Rate is presently at 3.81%
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 197.95 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 2,58,31,465 sessions.
COVID-19 vaccination for the age group 12-14 years was started on 16 March, 2022. So far, more than 3.69 Cr  adolescents have been administered with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Similarly, the COVID-19 precaution dose administration for age group 18-59 years also started from 10th April, 2022 onwards.
The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
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Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
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HCWs
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1st Dose
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|
1,04,09,119
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2nd Dose
|
|
1,00,67,432
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Precaution Dose
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|
57,42,274
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FLWs
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|
1st Dose
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|
1,84,24,422
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2nd Dose
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|
1,76,29,443
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Precaution Dose
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|
1,04,24,485
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Age Group 12-14 years
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|
1st Dose
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|
3,69,03,521
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2nd Dose
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|
2,39,52,729
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Age Group 15-18 years
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1st Dose
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|
6,05,14,353
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2nd Dose
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|
4,90,21,990
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Age Group 18-44 years
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|
1st Dose
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|
55,83,51,174
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2nd Dose
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|
50,21,95,702
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Precaution Dose
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32,05,908
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Age Group 45-59 years
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1st Dose
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20,34,64,141
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2nd Dose
|
|
19,36,41,226
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Precaution Dose
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|
26,85,574
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Over 60 years
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|
1st Dose
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|
12,72,77,086
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|
2nd Dose
|
|
12,09,62,483
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Precaution Dose
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|
2,46,99,901
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Precaution Dose
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4,67,58,142
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Total
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1,97,95,72,963
India’s Active Caseload currently stands at 1,11,711. Active cases now constitute 0.26% of the country's total Positive Cases.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.54%. 13,929 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients  is now at 4,28,65,519.
16,103 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The last 24 hours saw a total of 3,76,720 COVID-19 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 86.36 Cr  cumulative tests.
Weekly Positivity Rate in the country currently stands at 3.81% and the Daily Positivity rate is reported to be 4.27%.
PIB Headquarters
Development Plan to Double Farmers’ Income to be Declared on August 24
As part of doubling farmers’ income by 2022 under the New India Movement introduced by the Central Government, a seven-point development plan for the farmers in Ernakulum district will be declared on Thursday at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute .
The plan is meant for developing the entire farming system in the district and to improve the income of the farmers. Areas such as infrastructure facilities for agriculture, fish culture, dairying etc; organic farming; e-marketing; value addition; food processing; quality seeds and institutional loans will be covered in the plan.
Organised by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra of CMFRI, the programme is part of implementing the Central Government’s New India Movement which envisages the motto ‘determination to attainment’ in Ernakulam district.A farmer-scientist interaction on the theme ‘self-farming and safe food production’ will also be held on the ocasion. Topics related to organic vegetable farming, dairying, egg production, meat production, fish farming, soil management, organic fertilisers and value addition. Queries raised by the farmers will be answered by the experts from the CMFRI, Kerala Agricultural University and KVK. In addition, free farm-kits that includes vegetable seeds and farm guides will be distributed to the participants.
Prof. K V Thomas MP will administer the New India pledge. Dr Pravin Puthra, Additional Director General of Indian Council of Agriculture  will present and explain the development plan for doubling farmers’ income. Dr A Gopalakrishnan, Director of CMFRI will preside. Farmers interested to attend can register their names by a call to 8281757450 before 5 pm on Wednesday.
(Visitor Counter : 104
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 202.53 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 4.39 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID 19 vaccination started on 16th January 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
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VACCINE DOSES
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|
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SUPPLIED
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2,02,53,52,325
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BALANCE AVAILABLE
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4,39,87,660
More than 202.53 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt. of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than 4.39 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Registration granted to 105 Industrial Units under the North East Industrial Development Scheme , 2017 by the 9th Empowered Committee Meeting
All applications recommended for registration upto 31st October 2021 considered
Under the Chairmanship of Secretary, DPIIT, the Empowered Committee of North East Industrial Development Scheme  2017, in its 9th meeting granted registration to 105 new industrial units in the North East. Till date, a total of 391 new industrial units with a proposed total investment of INR 2631.19 crore have been granted registration under NEIDS, 2017. With this all applications recommended for registration by the concerned state governments upto 31st October 2021 has been considered by the Empowered committee.
The total incentives envisaged by these 391 industrial units amounts to INR 1740.06 crore with projected employment generation of 15,987.
To promote industrialization in NE States and to boost employment and income generation, Government notified NEIDS, 2017 on 12.04.2018. The Scheme was formulated on the basis of suggestions received from State Governments, Industrial Associations and other stakeholders. The Scheme covers both manufacturing and service sector.
This could be achieved through key initiatives taken including developing an online application portal which allows submission of application and claim forms online besides online processing of the cases with each stage being intimated to the applicant. The Government of India has also delegated the powers for processing and approval of the claims to the State Governments with a view to expedite the release of incentives to the industrial units.
All the stakeholders are being periodically engaged through symposiums and workshops and one such mega engagement was held on 30th November, 2019 with the theme of “Accelerating Investment & Industrial Development in North-Eastern Region” by DPIIT with team members from Invest India and Ease of Doing Business  Division, Departments heads in industries Departments of all the 8 State Governments, National bodies like APEDA and NER representatives from Industry Associations such as CII, FINER, Laghu Udyog Bharati, ASSOCHAM and FICCI etc besides manufacturing and service sector units located in North East Region and other Stakeholders. Hand on training the processing on NEIDS portal were also provided.
Ministry of Education
National Testing Agency  launches Hindi Tests feature on National Test Abhyas mobile app
The New feature will help Hindi medium students in practicing mock tests for JEE Main in Hindi - Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank'
More than 9.56 lakh students have downloaded National Test Abhyas App and more than 16.5 lakhs tests have been given by students on this app - HRD Minister
Union Minister for Human Resource Development Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' today announced that National Testing Agency  has launched Hindi Tests feature on National Test Abhyas mobile app. He said that competitive exam students preferring Hindi can now practice on their mobile devices with Hindi mock tests released on the National Test Abhyas smartphone app by NTA.
Shri Pokhriyal informed that last month, National Testing Agency  which conducts competitive exams like JEE and NEET has launched its Artificial Intelligence -powered smartphone app to empower engineering and medical aspirants to prepare safely from their homes, for entrance exams including JEE Main, NEET. So far, more than 16.5 lakhs tests have been given by students on this app, and more than 9.56 lakh students have downloaded the App.
Students preferring Hindi medium were requesting to launch papers in Hindi language in order to help in their preparation. Keeping this in mind NTA has launched this feature for the app. Now Hindi language candidates will be able to practice or give mock tests for these competitive exams in Hindi. Hindi version is a boon for students across India, as now, it has become even more accessible to students whose first language isn’t English. It is sure to be used now by several more students, to prepare for their entrance exams.
Students who have already downloaded the app can start attempting mock tests in Hindi right away, or if they don’t have the app, it can be downloaded free of cost from the Google play store. The latest version of the app offers navigation, instructions, test taking and analysis in both languages, English and Hindi. Once the app is downloaded on their smartphone or tablet, students will need to sign up with their details, and then, they can choose Hindi as their language preference, and start giving mock tests for their selected examination in the Hindi language.
Similar to the experience in English language, every day, the NTA will release one new test in Hindi on the app, which students can download to attempt. They can attempt these tests offline, while their device is on ‘Airplane’ mode, and will need to go online once again, in order to submit the test and view their result. With a list of daily tests for exams including JEE Main, NEET and other exams to be added soon, students will be able to practice and attempt these tests from their homes, and can view their detailed test results immediately, along with a detailed analysis of their performance, all in their preferred language, whether Hindi or English.
PIB Headquarters
PIB’S BULLETIN ON COVID-19
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- 219.04 cr Total Vaccine doses  have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
- 5,03,576 doses administered in last 24 hours
- India's Active caseload currently stands at 27,374
- Active cases stand at 0.06%
- Recovery Rate currently at 98.75%
- 2,654 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,40,60,198
- 1,957 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
- Daily positivity rate 
- Weekly Positivity Rate 
- 89.74 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 2,76,125 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
#Unite2FightCorona #IndiaFightsCorona
Press Information Bureau
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Government of India
Ministry of Power
Power to All
Electricity is a concurrent subject and supply/distribution of electricity to all the consumers of urban and rural areas falls primarily under the purview of the respective State Governments and/or State Power Utilities. Government of India supplements the efforts of the States through its various schemes including Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana , Integrated Power Development Scheme  and Ujjwal Discom Assurance Yojana  to help them to achieve the objective of providing uninterrupted power supply to all households.
All the States and the Union Territories  have signed MoUs with the Central Government to ensure 24x7 power supply w.e.f. 1st April,2019 onwards. Many States and UTs claim to supply 24x7 power other than the planned outages and interruptions due to unforeseen events.
Integrated Power Development Scheme  was launched in December, 2014 for Strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution networks in urban areas; Metering of distribution transformers/ feeders/ consumers in the urban areas; IT enablement works; Enterprise Resource Planning ; Smart metering; Gas Insulated Sub-stations ; and, Real Time Data Acquisition System . Under the Scheme, Central funding was provided for the implementation of these works. Besides the aforesaid works, funds were also sanctioned by the Government for underground  cabling and Aerial Bunched  cables which helped in the reduction of Aggregate Technical & Commercial  losses. All these distribution infrastructure works has supplemented the efforts of the Government to ensure 24x7 power to all.
Government of India have also launched the Reforms Based Result Linked Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme , with an outlay of Rs. 3,03,758 Crore and an estimated GBS of Rs.97,631 Crores from Central Government. The Scheme seeks to improve the operational efficiency and financial sustainability of all Discoms/Power Departments excluding private Discoms by providing conditional financial assistance to Discoms for strengthening of supply infrastructure and for installation of smart Meters in Pre-paid mode.
This information was given by Shri R.K Singh, Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
AYUSH
Cabinet approves proposed Memorandum of Understanding  between India and St. Vincent & the Grenadines on cooperation in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given ex post-facto approval to theproposed Memorandum of Understanding  between India and St. Vincent & the Grenadines on cooperation in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine. The MoU was signed at New Delhi on 11th September 2019.
Benefits:
The MoU will provide a framework for cooperation between India and St. Vincent & the Grenadines for the promotion of traditional systems of medicines and will mutually benefit the two countries in the said field. It will lead to promotion and propagation of Traditional Systems of Medicine in St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Activities mentioned in the MoU will boost the importance of AYUSH Systems of Medicine in St. Vincent & the Grenadines. As a consequence of the MoU, exchange of experts for training of the practitioners and Scientists undertaking collaborative research in Traditional Systems of Medicine are expected to lead to new innovations in drug development and practice of Traditional Medicine.